New Zealand driver Liam Lawson is preparing for the 2026 Formula 1 season, starting this Sunday at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. While he is eager to compete, Lawson has expressed that the new-generation cars, governed by updated regulations, are not as enjoyable to drive as previous models.
Following a difficult 2025 campaign where he lasted only two races with Red Bull before being moved to their sister team, Racing Bulls, Lawson aims to make a stronger impression this year. He was the last driver confirmed on the 2026 grid, now sharing Racing Bulls with rookie Arvid Lindblad.
Adjusting to Challenging New Car Regulations
In a radio interview from Wellington, Lawson discussed the technical changes impacting drivers, including hybrid power units and altered aerodynamics. He highlighted the balance between car movement and performance.
“In some ways the car moves around quite a bit more and, it depends on how you look at it, that can be more enjoyable,”
Lawson said.
“But obviously we’re trying to extract every bit of lap time out of the car and in some ways it feels like you can’t attack as much as you could in the past when you had a lot more downforce.”
Lawson noted that the 2026 cars are noticeably smaller and possess a “playful” nature, mainly due to the reduced aerodynamic downforce compared to previous seasons.
“But I think the main reason for that is just because we have a significant amount of aero taken off the car,”
he continued.
“When you have a car that’s extremely high downforce, it’s designed to push through the air in a straight line.”
Team Performance and Technical Reliability in 2026
Racing Bulls will introduce new Red Bull-Ford power units this season, with Lawson reporting satisfaction regarding their early reliability during testing. He emphasized that mechanical dependability will be critical in the opening races.
Reflecting on past experiences, Lawson feels better prepared for this season despite the uncertainties created by new car designs and rules.
“I’m grateful to have done that and feel a lot better going into this year but just because of new cars and new regulations it sort of throws a whole new thing in there that is quite unknown,”
Lawson said.
“On a personal level, I feel very comfortable and excited for the season, but, in a lot of ways obviously with these new cars, there’s a lot of unknowns.”
Upcoming Season Launch at Albert Park
The 2026 Formula 1 season will officially begin this weekend at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne. As teams and drivers adapt to the evolving technical landscape, Lawson remains cautiously optimistic about improving his performance and navigating the challenges posed by the new regulations.
